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Tradition defers to digital age at the library

Isabel McCauley, 7, and dad, Ryan McCauley take a break from learning about penguins to create some beautiful elastic bracelets. One of the staff members at the library showed Isabel how to make a link bracelet with one of the kits library patrons can sign out at the desk.
Allana Plaunt/Special to Sault This Week

As the world moves into a digital age with more reliance on new technologies, businesses and organizations are doing their best to keep up with the changing times. Sault Ste. Marie Public Libraries are no different.

“Libraries have long been seen as just a place to borrow books, but libraries are going through a significant change right now and they offer a lot more than just books,” Chris Rumas, the library’s manager of digital literacy told Sault This Week.

“Part of the challenge libraries face right now is breaking that stereotype that a library only has books to offer. Libraries offer books, movies, DVDs, magazines, programs for people of all ages (babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults, seniors).”

In recent years, the library has adapted to the technological changes in ways that included offering VHS to DVD conversion, and a 3D printer on which library staff can print files for patrons. For multiple years now, its DVDs have been one of its most popular circulating collections.

The library has also found ways to adapt to users’ changing preferences when it comes to borrowing services.

“We have seen a decline in book borrowing in recent years but that does not mean that people are not using the library for borrowing books,” said Rumas.

“While physical book borrowing has declined, electronic book borrowing has increased quite a bit. Most public libraries, including the SSMPL, subscribe to the OverDrive service to provide patrons with free access to eBooks and eAudiobooks.”

As more people make greater use of smartphones and tablets, they turn more to eBooks and eAudiobooks so that it’s easier to take them on the go, he said. “There has been a steady annual increase in the usage of OverDrive as more people become aware of the service and the benefits it offers of being able to be accessed almost anywhere.

“Additionally, a lot of patrons have made comments that they like the OverDrive service because they can download multiple eBooks/eAudiobooks at one time to their tablet or Smartphone and take them with them on vacation.”

Patrons can also access RBdigital, a digital magazine service that allows anyone with a library card to download the app to their device and check out digital copies of magazines, including back issues. This move to digital has greatly impacted the library’s content acquisition process.

“While we do still order a lot of print books and physical items, we devote portions of our budget to digital resources every year,” said Rumas.

“We also continuously look at other digital services that are available for libraries to see what new services we can purchase and offer to our patrons… The difficult part is selecting the right services that patrons want to use because there are so many services available, each of which has different pros and cons.”

One of those recent changes the library has adopted is lending out non-traditional materials.

“For instance, we lend out laptops for patrons to use in the library for up to three hours at a time. This is helpful if people want to work in the quiet study area on a computer but they don’t have their own laptop,” said Rumas.

Other non-traditional collections on offer are urban/walking poles and portable projectors. The library is always considering adding to its collection of non-traditional items, noting that other libraries have started loaning such items as tools, musical instruments, snowshoes, cake pans, and fishing rods, Rumas said.

The library has also adapted the programs it offers to meet the changing needs of the digital age. “We do offer basic computer workshops for people that are not comfortable using computers,” said Rumas. “We have technology workshops to teach people about iPads, Android tablets, OverDrive, Ancestry.ca, social media workshops, Face book workshops, and lots of other technology classes.

“We also offer a workshop called ‘Gadget Corner’ where anyone can come in with their electronic device and our IT staff will sit with them one-on-one or in small groups to help them troubleshoot any problems they have with their device.”

The library has recently begun housing the youth program, Digital Creator North in the Centennial Library. “Digital Creator North works to inspire creative experimentation, digital literacy, peer networking, connected learning through the media arts disciplines,” said Rumas.

“The space offers lots of workshops for free and has lots of equipment and software for teens to use for video production, digital photography, animation, audio recording, and much more.”

Rumas pointed out that despite the stereotype, libraries are so much more than just a place to borrow books or equipment.

“Libraries have always been places for people to learn and develop new skills, and with the growing use and influence of technology in the world today, libraries are becoming a place for people to learn and use new technologies as they become available,” said Rumas. “Libraries are not just buildings filled with shelves of books, they are a place in a community for people of all ages to meet, learn new skills, acquire knowledge, and grow.”

As for the future, Rumas fully expects the local libraries to continue being successful in adapting to the changes of the digital age. “They will continue to develop as a hub for the community where people, groups, and organizations will gather together to exchange ideas and work together to improve the community as a whole,” he said.

“As technology continues to grow and become a more integral part of people’s lives, libraries in the Sault will continue to be places where anyone can come and learn about new technologies.”